Alaska Airlines to Add Virgin America Aircraft to Its Fleet

Victoria, Canada – Seattle based Alaska Airlines Group, owner of both Alaska Airlines and newly acquired Virgin America, plans to add the Virgin America Airbus fleet of aircraft to that of the Alaska Airlines fleet. This comes after the merger of Alaska Airlines and Virgin America was approved by the Department of Justice back in December 2016. With the approved merger, Alaska Airlines will become the fifth largest airline in the United States and will host the third youngest fleet among airlines in the United States. Their fleet of 286 fuel-efficient aircraft have an average age of 7.55 years.

"Alaska Airlines and Virgin America are different airlines, but we believe different works, and we're confident fliers will agree," said Brad Tilden, Chief Executive Officer of Alaska Air Group. "Together, we'll offer more flights, with low fares, more rewards and more for customers to love, as we continue to offer a distinctive travel experience."

Alaska Airlines currently offers an all Boeing fleet of Boeing 737-400s, Boeing 737-700s, Boeing 737-800s, Boeing 737-900s and Boeing 737-900ERs. Alaska Airlines contracts with Alaska Air Group’s fully-owned subsidiary Horizon Air to operate regional routes with Bombardier Dash 8 Q400s, as well as future operations of Embraer E-175s in March. SkyWest Airlines also operates on contract with Alaska Airlines to operate Bombardier CRJ-700 and Embraer E175's on regional and mid-market routes.

Alaska Air Group is expected to use the Airbus A319-100s, Airbus A320-200s and Airbus A321NEOs on “North-South routes,” while mainline Alaska Airlines Boeing 737s are expected to operate transcontinental, Alaskan and Hawaiian flights. For its debut, Virgin America A321NEOs will operate select transcontinental routes like San Francisco International Airport to Washington Regan National Airport. Alaska Air Group hinted it might defer or cancel some Airbus A321NEO aircraft and purchase a large amount of the leased Airbus A319-100s and Airbus A320-200s.

"This partnership is positive for California air travel consumers and demonstrates an investment in our state," said Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor of California. "Both airlines boast a strong history, and we look forward to seeing their innovative spirit magnified with their global international network of partner airlines."

The merger of Alaska Airlines and Virgin America is expected to create new jobs and launch new markets not currently served by any Alaska Air Group brand. Plans for what the Virgin America product will be are still yet to be determined.